لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ 5
Translations
His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. And to Allāh are returned [all] matters.
Transliteration
Lahu mulku as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ila Allah turja'u al-umur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty over the heavens and the earth, establishing that all dominion belongs exclusively to Him. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that just as Allah possesses complete ownership of creation, all affairs ultimately return to Him for judgment and resolution, reinforcing His omnipotence and the futility of worldly powers. This declaration serves as a foundational principle in Islamic theology, countering any notion of shared divinity or independent authority among creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hadid is a Medinan surah revealed during the period of Islamic consolidation. This particular ayah appears within a section emphasizing Allah's attributes and sovereignty, providing reassurance to the Muslim community about the ultimate control of affairs despite worldly challenges. The broader context addresses themes of belief, the transience of life, and trust in Divine providence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best supplication is 'Alhamdulillah' (All praise belongs to Allah), and the best remembrance is 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no deity except Allah)' - emphasizing Allah's unique dominion. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized that hearts are between two fingers of Allah, highlighting His complete control over all matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should recognize that worldly power and possessions are temporary trusts from Allah, not permanent acquisitions, and should conduct themselves with accountability knowing all affairs ultimately return to their Creator for divine judgment. This cultivates humility, ethical responsibility, and reliance on Allah rather than material or human authority.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا۟ غُزًّى لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُوا۟ وَمَا قُتِلُوا۟ لِيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allāh makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allāh who gives life and causes death, and Allāh is Seeing of what you do.
إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Indeed, I have relied upon Allāh, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock [i.e., controls it]. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.
يَوْمَ لَا تَمْلِكُ نَفْسٌ لِّنَفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَٱلْأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلَّهِ
It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allāh.
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and to Allāh is the destination.